"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

Most people involved in self-righteous, works religion have to be constantly motivated to obedience through threats of punishment or promises of rewards. Tragically, I know from personal experience that this kind of motivation will produce the desired result the preacher is seeking. When the false preacher I sat under preached those "hell-fire and brimstone messages", he would tell us if we weren't diligent enough, or obedient enough, or giving enough, we were at best "back-sliders", and at worst we were lost. You can be assured after that kind of message, over the next few services church attendance and giving increased substantially. When attendance and giving began to wane, there would be new threats of punishment and new promises of "stars in our crowns". The problem is that if it takes threats of punishment or promises of reward to motivate you to obedience, it is evidence you are currently in a state of lostness. Also, no true Gospel preache...

" H o, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. - The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. - Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. - My blood is drink indeed. Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. "   -Isaiah 55:1. Revelation 22:17. John 4:14. John 6:55. Song of Solomon 5:1 [KJV]